Reusable flat envelope bag

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a reusable flat envelope bag, such as a flat mail envelope, which comprises an envelope body defining a pouch, the envelope body having an opening at one end or one side to access the pouch, at least one wrist strap attachable to the envelope body by which wrist strap the envelope can be reused as a bag or wristlet. The reusable flat envelope bag may optionally include one or more handles.

FIELD

The disclosure is related to an envelope, for example a flat mailing or shipping envelope, configured so as to be reusable as bag or wristlet.

BACKGROUND

Envelopes, such as flat envelopes, are typically designed for single use only. For example, a flat envelope designed to mail or ship items is either disposed of after use or recycled by the recipient. Various attempts have been made to re-purpose large mailer bags as carry bags or totes after use. These often involve the putting of handles or grips within the mailer bags, which can then be used to carry the mailer bag after the mailer bag is opened and the mailed contents removed. Such bags are often large and not flat, typically having a multiple-panel, boxlike construction, for example, having geometrically defined front, back, bottom, and opposing side panels to define a substantially rectangular interior, i.e. a cuboid or cuboid-like interior. These designs while suitable for large mailers are not practicable for flat envelopes which are typically smaller in size and do not form a cuboid interior. Hence a need exists for a reusable flat mailing envelope.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a mail envelope reusable as a bag comprising a mail envelope body defining a pouch, the envelope body having an opening at one end to access the pouch; and at least one wrist strap connected to the envelope body. In one practice, the envelope body comprises an indented bottom opposite the opening. In another practice, a surface of the envelope body comprises an eyelet through which the wrist strap is connected to the envelope body. In yet another practice, the wrist strap is designed to be detachable from the eyelet. In still yet another practice, the envelope comprises one or more handles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict front views of an embodiment of a reusable mail envelope of the disclosure showing a configuration of the envelope used for containing original contents for mailing or shipping.

FIGS. 1C and 1D depict front and perspective views of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing a configuration of the envelope after the original contents are removed.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict top and bottom perspective views of an embodiment of the reusable mail envelope of the disclosure with a wrist strap and optional pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description herein is made with reference to the Figures. This is for purposes of convenience only and is not restrictive or limiting to the scope of the disclosure and the practice thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, thereat are front and perspective views of an embodiment of a reusable mail envelope of the disclosure. Shown in this particular embodiment is mail envelope 10 that is reusable as a bag in conformance with a practice of the present disclosure. Envelope 10 in the embodiment illustrated is comprised of front panel 11 and back panel 12, each of which have interior surfaces, and which in one embodiment are of substantially the same size and shape, and have opposing side edges 13 and 14 which are either integral with each other or sealed together such as by being complementarily connected, without limitation, by fusing (e.g. using heat or glue), sewing, and the like, along their opposing side edges, shown as 13 and 14, and along bottom edge 15, which as shown is opposite the opening 20, to define an pouch within (not shown), the pouch in the practice depicted being defined by the interior surfaces of panels 11 and 12. As will be appreciated to those of skill in the art, each of front panel 11 and back panel 12 have a bottom edges which can be sealed together in the manner aforesaid to form the bottom edge 15 of envelope 10. In one practice, front panel 11 and back panel 12 are formed from one integral piece wherein bottom edge 15 is the fold line.

In the practice depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D, the pouch is of non-cuboid shape, e.g. a three-edged internal pouch is defined, due to the absence of panels interposed between the opposing side edges and bottom edges of front and back panels 11 and 12. In another practice (not shown), front panel 11 and back panel 12 are connected via side panels, e.g. of substantially rectangular shape, extending the length of the opposing side edges 13 and 14; in this embodiment, the bottom edge 15 of both front panel 11 and back panel 12 are either integral with each other or sealed together as aforesaid, i.e. there is no panel or indented bottomed interposed between and connecting same. In yet another practice, depicted in relevant part at FIG. 2B, the bottom edge of the first panel 11 and the bottom edge of the second panel 12 are connected in such a way so as to comprise an indented bottom portion 27; in one embodiment thereof, the bottom edges of the first and second panel are connected to each other by way of an interposed bottom panel having one or more pleats. In this indented bottom practice, there are no side panels interposed between front panel 11 and back panel 12, i.e. opposing side edges 13 and 14 are either integral with each other or sealed together.

In the practice shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the pouch is accessed by an opening 20, which can extend over either part of or over the entire width of envelope 10, e.g. opening 20 extends across the top of envelope 10 substantially from one opposing side edge 13 to the other 14. Opening 20 is located on or proximate the top edge of envelope 10, which top edge in the embodiment shown is defined by opposed top front strip 16 and top back strip 17. In another embodiment opening 20 is located on or proximate the side edge of envelope 10. In one embodiment, strips 16 and 17 are in a cooperative relationship to form a sealable closure over at least part of opening 20, preferably over the entire length of opening 20. Without limitation, examples of a serviceable sealable closure include an adhesive seal, e.g. a peelable seal comprising adhesive or tape or a heat sealable closure.

FIG. 1A depicts a practice wherein top front strip 16 comprises a peelable adhesive layer 22 and optionally top back strip 17 has a complementary peelable adhesive layer 21. On filling the pouch of envelope 10 with original contents, the adhesive layers are peeled and secured together to contain the contents for transport, e.g. by shipping or mail. In the practice depicted at FIGS. 1A-1D, tear lines 18 and 19, e.g. corresponding weakened or thinned portions or perforations in the front and back panels, are placed below top strips 16 and 17 to enable removal of the top strips (FIG. 1B) to provide access to the pouch (FIG. 1C) for access to the pouch. In one embodiment of this practice, a re-closable seal 24 on all or part of the front and back or side panels is provided beneath the tear line and extending over at least part of opening 20, preferably over the entire length of opening 20; examples of suitable re-closable seals include, without limitation, adhesive seals which can be repeatedly used, and non-adhesive seals, e.g. pressure-sensitive seals, slide or zipper-like seals and the like. In one embodiment, the re-closable seal 24 on all or part of the front and back or side of the pouch of envelope 10 can be a hook and loop construction, one or more snaps, buckles, clasps or tabs, which may or may not be magnetized.

Materials of construction for envelope 10, including e.g. panels 11 and 12, preferably comprise flexible materials such as plastic, e.g. polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, vinyl, cotton, rubber and the like; construction paper; nonwoven fabric; woven fabric; tear-proof paper. The envelope of the disclosure can be of any shape, such as square or rectangular. In a preferred practice, the envelope is substantially flat when empty. In one embodiment, at least a portion of an inner wall of the pouch comprises bubble wrap or optional insulation. The envelope of the disclosure may be comprised of a metalized or metallic material such as aluminum and may provide protection against UV lighting and moisture.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1C and 1D, one or more sets of handles 24 and/or 25 are optionally provided. The handles can be either integral formed with the front and/or back panels 11 and 12, or can be separate items that are attached inside the pouch, e.g. to the interior surfaces of panels 11 and/or 12 by methods known in the art, e.g. sewing, glue and the like. The handles are configured to be stored within the pouch (FIG. 1C) from which they can be extracted to extend above the top of envelope 10 to facilitate carrying (FIG. 1D). Handles 24 and 25 need not be provided, as shown in FIG. 2A. Without limitation, the handles can be of the materials of construction aforesaid. In another embodiment, the envelope 10 can be provided with handles 24 and/or 25 only and no closure element. In accordance with this embodiment, the envelope 10 would be permanently open and its contents, including handles 24 and/or 25 and/or a wrist strap 26 are readily accessible from the top or side of opening 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, eyelet 23 is provided on the envelope, either on front panel 11 and/or on back panel 12. The eyelet may comprise a defined weakening in the panel, e.g. a thinner circular area in the panel, that is configured for removal, e.g. by punching out, to form a hole, or the eyelet may comprise a ring or grommet having an preexisting hole, or by having a covered center that is configured to be punched out to form a hole. The grommet may be of the same material as the panel, e.g. a thickened ring, or may be of another material, such as rubber, metal, plastic coated metal and the like. The eyelet is of a size and shape to accommodate attachment of wrist strap 26, which is preferably of a design whereby it is detachable from the eyelet. In one practice, the wrist strap 26 is of a size and shape to be storable in the pouch, e.g. with the original contents, so as to be conveniently available when the contents are removed and the envelope is converted for reusability as a bag or wristlet. In one embodiment, the eyelet 23, with or without the wrist strap 26, may be present in combination with one or more sets of handles 24. In another embodiment (not shown) the eyelet 23 can be provided inside the envelope, either on an inside portion of either front panel 11 and/or back panel 12.

As shown in FIG. 2A, pocket 28 is provided on the envelope, either on front panel 11 and/or on back panel 12. Pocket 28 may comprise the same material as envelope 10 and may be sewn onto any surface of front panel 11 and/or back panel 12. Pocket 28, in operation, may house e.g. a mobile phone, business card, credit card, writing utensil or any other utilitarian object. In one embodiment (not shown), pocket 28 may be provided an interior surface of front panel 11 and/or on an interior surface of back panel 12. Pocket 28 may include a re-sealable closure or may lack a closure on its top or side. Such re-sealable closures for pocket 28 include the material described herein for closure of opening 20 of the envelope 10. Pocket 28 may be formed in any shape, e.g. rectangular, square, triangular or the like.

The foregoing description is by way of example only and is not limiting to the scope of the invention. 

1. A mail envelope reusable as a bag comprising: a mail envelope defining a pouch, the envelope having an opening at one end to access the pouch; and at least one wrist strap connected to the envelope body, wherein a surface of the envelope comprises an eyelet to which the wrist strap is attached.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The envelope of claim 1 wherein the eyelet is a ring or grommet.
 4. The envelope of claim 1 wherein the opening comprises a re-closable seal.
 5. The envelope of claim 1 wherein the re-closable seal comprises a pres sure-sensitive seals, a slide seal or zipper-like seal.
 6. The envelope of claim 1 further comprising at least one handle connected to an interior surface within the pouch.
 7. The envelope of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of an inner wall of the pouch comprises bubble wrap or insulation.
 8. A flat mail envelope reusable as a bag comprising an opening accessing an envelope pouch, the opening defined by opposing front and back panels; and at least one wrist strap connected to either or both of the front or back panel, wherein a surface of at least one of the front or back panels comprises an eyelet to which the wrist strap is attached.
 9. The flat envelope of claim 8 wherein the front and back panels each independently comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges, and wherein the top edge comprises the opening accessing the envelope pouch.
 10. The flat envelope of claim 9 wherein the opposing side edges of the front panel are connected to the opposing side edges of the back panel by sewing, heat sealing, or a combination thereof.
 11. The flat envelope of claim 9 wherein the bottom edge of the front panel and the bottom edge of the back panel are connected by sewing, heat sealing, or a combination thereof.
 12. The flat envelope of claim 11 wherein the bottom edge of the front panel and the bottom edge of the back panel are connected to comprise an indented bottom portion.
 13. The flat envelope of claim 8 wherein the bottom edge is a fold line and the front and back panels are integrally formed from a unitary sheet of material comprised of plastic, construction paper, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, or tear-proof paper.
 14. The flat envelope of claim 9 wherein the opening accessing the envelope pouch comprises a re-closable seal.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The flat envelope of claim 8 wherein the eyelet is comprised of a ring or grommet and the wrist strap is detachable.
 17. The flat envelope of claim 8 wherein the eyelet is comprised of a ring or grommet and the wrist strap is fixed to said flat envelope.
 18. The flat envelope of claim 1 further comprising one or more pockets.
 19. The flat envelope of claim 18 wherein said one or more pockets are located on the surface of the front or back panel.
 20. The flat envelope of claim 18 wherein said one or more pockets are located on an interior surface of the front or an interior surface of the back panel. 